When Roy Taylor and Ed Schell opened their grocery store in 1962, the corner market was a staple of every neighborhood. Roy and Ed worked ten to twelve hours a day, seven days a week, 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day. Their hard work, attention to quality, and dedication to customer service were rewarded by a loyal customer following.
The next generation of owners, like the first, is a tale of friendship and hard work. In 1969, Ed’s son Kevin joined the business, starting out as a clean-up kid in the meat department. In 1983, Danny Johnson walked into Taylor’s, looking for work as a butcher. He was 19 years old, and Ed hired him on the spot. “I knew he would fit right in with our family. He was a darn good butcher, too.”
In 1987, Roy retired, and sold his share of the market to Ed, Kevin and Danny. The partners closed the store for four days in 1988, and completely remodeled. When the market re-opened, customers were treated to beautiful displays of specialty items, local produce, fine wines, and of course, the best meats and seafood in town.
Taylors Market Shoppers In 1988, Aki Kushida and his son, Bruce, brought their fresh local produce to Taylor’s, delighting customers who had patronized Aki’s produce stand on Fair Oaks Boulevard. Aki retired in the mid 1990s, and Bruce continued to manage the produce department until he retired in 2019.
The tradition of family and friends includes employees, many of whom have worked for Taylor’s for years. Dave Hunter, the store manager, was 17 when he first began working at Taylor’s in 1990. Meat Department Manager Paul Carras grew up in the neighborhood and started at Taylor’s when he was 15 as a clean-up kid. Danny and Kathy’s daughter Felicia is the stores Operations Manager.
In early 2007 the Schells retired and Danny Johnson and his wife, Kathy, took over as the sole owners of the business. It was always their dream to showcase the quality products and meat of Taylor’s Market with a restaurant. In 2008 that dream became a reality when they opened Taylor’s Kitchen next door to the market.
Danny and Taylor’s Market were recognized for their hard work and talent for butchering in 2018 when Danny and Paul were asked to participate in the World Butchering Challenge on behalf of Team USA. The 2020 event was unfortunately postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 event is scheduled to take place September 2-3rd here in Sacramento CA thanks to the hard work of Danny and Paul.
To this day the Johnson Family and Staff of Taylor’s Market & Kitchen are dedicated to bringing the highest quality products produced locally and around the world to the customers who have been so supportive of Taylor’s in it’s 60+ year history. Without their customers Taylor’s Market would not be what it is today, a thriving old school neighborhood grocery store.
